Heath coach Dave Klontz, right, talks to Licking Valley coach Rick Houston after a game April 30. Klontz is The Advocate's 2008 Baseball Coach of the Year. / Eric George, The Advocate

Written by

TOM WILSON

Sports Writer

HEATH -- The hurt the Heath baseball team felt after losing a 4-3, eight-inning game in the Division III regional championship almost was unbearable.

The Bulldogs were looking to make a return trip to the final four, where in 2007 they shocked everyone by winning the state championship.

Heath coach Dave Klontz had seen a lot in his 37 years of coaching the Bulldogs, but the two regional games emotionally were exhausting.

Heath managed one hit in nine innings in the regional semifinal but was able to pull out a victory on a passed ball. Despite having a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning of the final, the Bulldogs lost on a passed ball.

Klontz, as always, was positive after the heartbreaking defeat.

"There were a lot of emotions in those two games," Klontz said. "I do know that we've never won a game with just one hit, especially in a tournament game. After winning the way we did, and then turning around and losing the next day, it was tough.

"Everyone hates to lose, especially the last game, but we had a lot of good things happen to us, and I couldn't have been prouder of a group of guys ... they went above and beyond; they were overachievers and great competitors."

After going 22-7 in 2007, including the school's second state title -- the first came in 2002 -- another deep tournament run was unexpected, in part because the Bulldogs lost their top two pitchers.

Klontz, ever the optimist, led the Bulldogs to a 26-5 record, including a Mid-State League-Ohio Division championship and a second straight district title.

That was more than enough for him to be named The Advocate's 2008 Baseball Coach of the Year, his second straight honor.

Klontz favorite saying is: "The best team doesn't always win, it's the team that plays the best."

For most of the 2008 season, the Bulldogs were the best team on the field. They showed that in the district final when they were facing a 3-0 deficit only to come from behind to win 5-3.

"I have to give a lot of credit to my seniors because they were determined from day one," Klontz said. "These guys won 48 games the last two years, so they knew how to win, which was a big key. They played with a lot of confidence.

"Even though we lost our two key pitchers, we had a lot of position players coming back, and like I said, these guys were great competitors."

Early on, Klontz knew the Bulldogs would have to be a top-notch hitting team until the pitching came around.

That's what happened. Heath raced to a 20-2 record. Not only did the Bulldogs score a lot of runs, but the pitching of Alex VanDine, Steven Kidwell and Trey Matthews was better than expected.

"We knew we had talent, but I didn't expect our pitchers to carry us like they did," Klontz said. "I was extremely surprised at how quickly those guys matured. I have to give (pitching coach) Mike Saalfield a lot of credit for that. He does a great job with our pitchers."

Treating his players with respect and being positive is what Klontz believes in. That's why he thinks his team is on one of the better runs in school history.

"I see myself in so many of these kids, and when I was younger, someone treated me that way," Klontz said. "All they need is someone to pat them on the back and tell them they're doing a good job.

"Just being positive can go a long way with kids. My main job is to teach them to be good people, and if we win along the way, that's nice as well."

After completing his 37th year as Bulldogs coach and racking up 555 career wins, is there an end in sight for Klontz?

"I like it as much today as the first day I started coaching," Klontz said. "Obviously, I never want to cheat the kids, but I still enjoy what I'm doing and winning a championship once in awhile helps.

"When I feel the kids aren't buying into what we're trying to do, then I'll know it's time to give it up."